Seating element for a pair of cyclist&#39;s pants

ABSTRACT

A seat element for being inserted into a pair of cycling pants comprises a seat pad ( 10 ) for padding a seat surface in the bottom region. Further, the seat element comprises a bowl-shaped protective element ( 12 ) for the protection of the male genital region. The protective element ( 12 ) is connected with the seat pad ( 10 ). In the middle portion of the seat element, i.e., following the protective element ( 12 ), a vein protection channel ( 24 ) is provided. Because of the vein protection channel ( 24 ), a constriction of the vein extending in that region is avoided. Thereby, a circulation of blood to the male genitals will even be ensured if one sits on a cycle saddle for a long time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a seat element for a pair of cycling pants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide seat pads in cycling pants for padding the seatsurface. Such pads are sewn in in the region of the crotch of thecycling pants. Due to the sewing, tensions may arise in the region ofthe seam which strongly stress the mostly thin cloth of the cyclingpants. Further, since the cycling pants are stiffened in the region ofthe seat pad by the connection of the seat pad with the cycling pants,the cycling pants mostly consisting of a stretch material are no longerelastic in that region. Thus, the seat pad cannot move relative to thepants. This, in turn, may lead to tensions in the pants' material. Suchtensions may lead to tears or damage to the pants. Such cycling pantsare described, for example, in EP 0 776 615.

It is the object of the invention to provide a seat element for cyclingpants by means of which the occurrence of tears is avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is solved, according to the invention, with the features ofa first seat element embodiment, which is a seat element for beinginserted into a pair of cycling pants, comprising a seat pad (10) forpadding a seat surface in the bottom region and a bowl-shaped protectiveelement (12) for the male genital region connected with the seat pad(10). In accordance with a second seat element embodiment of the presentinvention, the first seat element embodiment is further modified so thatan edge (14) of the protective element (12) is configured such that itat least partially contacts the skin of a person wearing the seatelement and preferably completely surrounds the outer genital region. Inaccordance with a third seat element embodiment of the presentinvention, either the first or second seat element embodiment is furthermodified so that an outside (30) of the seat element is provided with anadhesive coating. In accordance with a fourth seat element embodiment ofthe present invention, the third seat element embodiment is furthermodified so that the adhesive coating covers the outside (30) onlypartially and is preferably configured in the form of stripes.

In accordance with a fifth seat element embodiment of the presentinvention, any one of the first through fourth seat element embodimentsis further modified so that a connection element for the connection tothe cycling pants is provided at an outside (30) of the seat element,preferably at an outside (30) of the seat pad (10). In accordance with asixth seat element embodiment of the present invention, the fifth seatelement embodiment is further modified so that the connection element isconnectable to a stiffening element provided in the crotch portion andthe cycling pants.

In accordance with a seventh seat element embodiment of the presentinvention, any one of the first through sixth seat element embodimentsis further modified so that the seat pad (10) comprises a veinprotection channel (34) in longitudinal direction. In accordance with aneighth seat element embodiment of the present invention, the seventhseat element embodiment is further modified so that the vein protectionchannel (34) extends at least to the protective element (12).

The seat element according to the invention is separated from thecycling pants and adapted to be inserted therein. The seat elementcomprises a seat pad for padding a seat surface in the bottom region.Since the seat element is adapted to be inserted into the cycling pants,there is no fixed connection between the cycling pants and the seatelement. Thereby, the occurrence of seam tensions which may lead todamage to the pants is avoided. Further, the pants are still elastic inthe region of the seat element. A relative movement between pants andseat element is also possible so that the wearing comfort is increasedand damage to the pants due to increased tensions is avoided.

Due to the fact that the seat element is configured separately from thepants and inserted into the cycling pants, it is further possible toprovide a protective element for the male genital region at the seatelement. It is a bowl-shaped protective element by which the position ofthe penis and the testicles is defined. Providing the bowl-shapedprotective element solves the problem that sport shorts such as cyclingpants are often worn without underpants since they disturb and may causegrazes. But if male cyclists wear cycling pants without underpants, thisleads to the fact that the position of the penis is not defined. This isextremely disagreeable. By providing the seat element according to theinvention, the wearing comfort of the cycling pants is also increasedwithout underpants.

Preferably, the edge of the protective element is configured such thatit contacts, at least partially, the skin of the person wearing the seatelement. In this case, the edge of the protective element surrounds theouter genital region preferably completely. This means that the malepenis and the testicles are arranged within the bowl-shaped protectiveelement and the bowl-shaped protective element is as completely flush aspossible with the body. Thus, the outer genital region is preferablyprotected completely by the bowl-shaped protective element, the outergenital region being completely surrounded by the edge of the outerprotective element apart from the connection site between the protectiveelement and the seat pad. Thereby, an agreeable and comfortable hold isprovided.

In order to fix the position of the seat element in the cycling pants,the outside of the seat element is provided with an adhesive coating.The adhesive coating is configured such that a low adhesion is createdbetween the cycling pants and the seat element. This serves to avoid aslipping of the seat element. On the other hand, the adhesive effect isnot so large that a firm connection between the cycling pants and theseat element is established. The elasticity of the cycling pants in theregion of the seat element is not influenced by the adhesive coating oronly to a very minor degree so. Therefore, the outside of the seatelement is preferably only partially coated with the adhesive coating.Preferably, the adhesive coating is configured in the form of stripes.

Preferably, silicone or a silicone compound is used as an adhesivecoating. The desired adhesive effect can be adjusted by an appropriatesilicone compound.

For fixing the position of the seat element in the cycling pants, it isfurther possible to provide, for example, small hook loop fasteners,snap fasteners or the like. They are preferably arranged in the middleportion of the seat element or in the crotch of the pants. The seat padarranged substantially behind this region as well as the protectiveelement can thus be moved sufficiently relative to the cycling pantsdespite the connection between cycling pants and seat element. By such aconnection, the elasticity of the cycling pants in the region of theseat element is not or only very slightly impaired.

For connecting the cycling pants with the seat element by means ofbuttons or the like, a stiffening element provided in the crotch portionof the cycling pants is preferably used. Such a stiffening element is anelement preferably made of thermoplastic plastic material by which theconnection of the cloth in this region is secured and further, a bodydepth of the pants is produced.

In a preferred embodiment, the seat pad comprises a vein protectionchannel extending in longitudinal direction. In the region of thecrotch, a vein serving to provide for the male genitals extends directlybeneath the skin surface of men. If one sits on a cycle saddle for along time in particular, this vein will be constricted so thatcirculatory disturbances may occur. By the provision of the vein channelin this region, the blood circulation will be even ensured if one sitson a cycle saddle for a long time.

The provision of a vein protection channel represents an independentinvention that is independent of the provision of a protective elementfor the genital region. This invention is also independent of the factwhether the seat pad is adapted to be inserted into cycling pants or issewn therein so that the invention also encompasses a seat pad with veinprotection channel sewn in a pair of cycling pants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinafter, the invention will be explained in detail with respect to apreferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the Figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a seat element,

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view along the line II—II in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line III—III in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with anadhesive coating on the outside of the seat element configured instripes vertical to the longitudinal direction of the seat element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The seat element comprises a seat pad 10 arranged in the rear portion aswell as a protective element 12 arranged in the front portion. In crosssection, the protective element 12 is bowl-shaped (FIG. 2). An edge 14of the protective element 12 is substantially arranged in a plane sothat the edge 14 contacts the body of the person. The protective element12 consists of padded cloth. The edge 14 is also soft and elastic toprevent the protective element from causing pressure marks on the body.Further, the wearing comfort is increased by the provision of softmaterial.

The seat pad 10 consisting of a soft cloth which is multi-layered, ifnecessary, and comprising a padding between the cloth layers comprisestwo seat surfaces 16. Between the seat surfaces 16, a groove 18 isprovided to increase the flexibility so that the rear portion of theseat pad is configured so as to be bird tail-shaped.

The front portion of the seat pad 10 via which the seat pad 10 isconnected with the protective element 12 comprises a narrowing 20 in themiddle portion. In this portion, there is the crotch of the pants or thesmallest distance of the thigh insides. In the direction of theprotective element 12, the seat pad 20 expands again. Thereby, theposition of the seat pad between the legs of the person wearing the seatpad is defined.

In order to further improve the wearing comfort, wings 21 of soft clothare preferably provided in the region of the narrowing 20. The wings 21are particularly supple and flexible. They contact the thigh inside andpoint downward when the seat pad is worn. Preferably, the wings 21 aremade of a material comprising polyamide. Particularly, the material iscalendered to get a soft smooth surface. Preferably, the grain of thecloth extends downward, i.e., towards the knees when the seat pad isworn, to avoid friction due to the movement occurring upon cycling,which would occur if a movement against the grain of the cloth occurred.Preferably, the wings 21 are made of a multi-layered material, one layerpreferably consisting of polyurethane foam. Preferably, the layercontacting the skin is always a calendered polyamide.

In longitudinal direction, i.e., in horizontal direction in FIG. 1, theseat pad comprises a vein protection channel 24 in the crotch region 22.The vein protection channel 24 extends from the seat surfaces 16 to theprotective element 12 so that the vein extending in this region will notbe constricted even if one sits on a cycle saddle for a long time.Preferably, the vein channel is 1-1.5 cm wide and has a depth of 2-4 mm.

A groove 26 is provided between the narrowing 20 and the protectiveelement 12. Because of the groove 26, the protective element 12 can bemoved in the direction of the arrow 28 (FIG. 2) with respect to the seatpad 10. Thereby, the wearing comfort is increased again.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, anoutside 30 of the seat element may be provided with an adhesive coating50. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.5, the adhesive coating covers the outside only partially and comprisesstripes 51 extending preferably vertically to the longitudinal directionof the seat element.

Preferably, the seat pad is perforated to improve the respiratoryactivity. Particularly, the protective element 12 is perforated to avoidan increased heating or an accumulation of heat in this region.

1. A seat element for being inserted into a pair of cycling pants,comprising: a seat pad for padding a seat surface in a bottom region ofa person wearing the seat element; a bowl-shaped protective element forprotecting a male genital region, connected with the seat pad; and anoutside of the seat element is provided with an adhesive coating.
 2. Theseat element according to claim 1, characterized in that an edge of theprotective element is configured to at least partially contacts the skinof the person wearing the seat element.
 3. The seat element according toclaim 1, characterized in that the adhesive coating covers the outsideof the seat element only partially and optionally is configured in theform of stripes.
 4. The seat element according to claim 1, characterizedin that a connection element for the connection to the cycling pants isprovided at an outside of the seat element.
 5. The seat elementaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the seat pad comprises avein protection channel in longitudinal direction.
 6. The seat elementaccording to claim 5, characterized in that the vein protection channelextends at least to the protective element.
 7. The seat elementaccording to claim 2, wherein the edge of the protective element isconfigured to completely surround an outer region of the male genitalregion of the person wearing the seat element.
 8. The seat elementaccording to claim 4, characterized in that the connection element isprovided at an outside of the seat pad of the seat element.
 9. A seatelement for insertion into a pair of cycling pants, the seat elementcomprising: a seat pad for padding a seat surface in a bottom region ofa male person wearing the seat element; a bowl-shaped protective elementconfigured to arrange the penis and testicles of the male person withinthe protective element, wherein the protective element is connected withthe seat pad; and an outside of the seat element is provided with anadhesive coating.
 10. A seat element according to claim 9, wherein theseat pad comprises a vein protection channel formed in a crotch regionof the seat pad.
 11. A seat element according to claim 10, wherein theseat pad further comprises a narrowing in a middle portion, and wingsmade of soft cloth or a material comprising polyamide are provided in aregion of the narrowing.
 12. A seat element according to claim 11,wherein the adhesive coating is either silicone or a silicone compound.13. A seat element according to claim 12, wherein the protective elementincludes a soft and elastic edge.
 14. A seat element for insertion intoa pair of cycling pants, the seat element comprising: a seat padarranged in a rear portion of the seat element; a bowl-shaped protectiveelement arranged in a front portion of the seat element and connected tothe seat pad, wherein the protective element is configured to arrangepenis and testicles of a male person wearing the seat element within theprotective element; and a groove formed in a middle portion of the seatelement and disposed between a narrowing in the middle portion and theprotective element, wherein the groove permits the movement of theprotective element relative to the seat pad.
 15. A seat elementaccording to claim 14, wherein an outside of the seat element isprovided with an adhesive coating.
 16. A seat element according to claim15, wherein the seat pad comprises a vein protection channel formed in acrotch region of the seat pad.